Dustin Nelson
@dlukenelson.bsky.social
Writer of fiction and poetry. Also a journalist with work in the Washington Post, Entertainment Weekly, Vulture, Inside Hook, Thrillist, and other publications. http://www.dustinlukenelson.com/writing.html
This list now has 173 Minnesota businesses (with 200 total locations) that have publicly announced they are closing for the strike/economic blackout/protest on Jan. 23. bringmethenews.com/minnesota-li...
List of Minnesota businesses closing for Jan. 23 anti-ICE strike
First announced by faith leaders and unions on Jan. 13, Minnesota businesses have begun announcing plans to join the action.
bringmethenews.com
January 20, 2026 at 9:27 PM
This list now has 173 Minnesota businesses (with 200 total locations) that have publicly announced they are closing for the strike/economic blackout/protest on Jan. 23. bringmethenews.com/minnesota-li...
Reposted by Dustin Nelson
Video: ICE agents raid St. Paul home, detain elderly US citizen on frigid Sunday
More: https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/video-ice-agents-raid-st-paul-home-detain-elderly-us-citizen-on-frigid-sunday
More: https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/video-ice-agents-raid-st-paul-home-detain-elderly-us-citizen-on-frigid-sunday
January 19, 2026 at 4:25 PM
Video: ICE agents raid St. Paul home, detain elderly US citizen on frigid Sunday
More: https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/video-ice-agents-raid-st-paul-home-detain-elderly-us-citizen-on-frigid-sunday
More: https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/video-ice-agents-raid-st-paul-home-detain-elderly-us-citizen-on-frigid-sunday
Reposted by Dustin Nelson
St. Paul hotels allegedly housing ICE agents temporarily close, citing safety concerns
More: https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/st-paul-hotels-accused-of-housing-ice-agents-temporarily-close-citing-safety-concerns
More: https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/st-paul-hotels-accused-of-housing-ice-agents-temporarily-close-citing-safety-concerns
January 19, 2026 at 7:09 PM
St. Paul hotels allegedly housing ICE agents temporarily close, citing safety concerns
More: https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/st-paul-hotels-accused-of-housing-ice-agents-temporarily-close-citing-safety-concerns
More: https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/st-paul-hotels-accused-of-housing-ice-agents-temporarily-close-citing-safety-concerns
Reposted by Dustin Nelson
A large group of protesters gathered inside Target in West St. Paul on Monday morning, where they sang anti-ICE songs in an effort to get Target officials to condemn ICE operations in Minnesota. https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/anti-ice-protesters-stage-sit-in-at-twin-cities-target-store
January 19, 2026 at 7:37 PM
A large group of protesters gathered inside Target in West St. Paul on Monday morning, where they sang anti-ICE songs in an effort to get Target officials to condemn ICE operations in Minnesota. https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/anti-ice-protesters-stage-sit-in-at-twin-cities-target-store
Reposted by Dustin Nelson
7 Twin Cities-area grocery stores announce closures for anti-ICE strike
More: https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-lifestyle/7-twin-cities-area-grocery-stores-announce-closures-for-anti-ice-strike
More: https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-lifestyle/7-twin-cities-area-grocery-stores-announce-closures-for-anti-ice-strike
January 19, 2026 at 8:56 PM
7 Twin Cities-area grocery stores announce closures for anti-ICE strike
More: https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-lifestyle/7-twin-cities-area-grocery-stores-announce-closures-for-anti-ice-strike
More: https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-lifestyle/7-twin-cities-area-grocery-stores-announce-closures-for-anti-ice-strike
Reposted by Dustin Nelson
The latest developments from another day of immigration enforcement in Minnesota.
More: https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/list-of-major-ice-raids-updates-in-minnesota-on-tuesday-jan-20
More: https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/list-of-major-ice-raids-updates-in-minnesota-on-tuesday-jan-20
January 20, 2026 at 2:52 PM
The latest developments from another day of immigration enforcement in Minnesota.
More: https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/list-of-major-ice-raids-updates-in-minnesota-on-tuesday-jan-20
More: https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/list-of-major-ice-raids-updates-in-minnesota-on-tuesday-jan-20
Reposted by Dustin Nelson
Family of Hmong man arrested by ICE says DHS justification for raid is false.
https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/family-of-hmong-man-arrested-by-ice-says-dhs-justification-for-raid-is-false
https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/family-of-hmong-man-arrested-by-ice-says-dhs-justification-for-raid-is-false
January 20, 2026 at 5:30 PM
Family of Hmong man arrested by ICE says DHS justification for raid is false.
https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/family-of-hmong-man-arrested-by-ice-says-dhs-justification-for-raid-is-false
https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/family-of-hmong-man-arrested-by-ice-says-dhs-justification-for-raid-is-false
Reposted by Dustin Nelson
St. Paul toy store hit with ICE audit after ABC News story about handing out whistles
https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/st-paul-toy-store-hit-with-ice-audit-after-abc-news-story-about-handing-out-whistles
https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/st-paul-toy-store-hit-with-ice-audit-after-abc-news-story-about-handing-out-whistles
January 20, 2026 at 5:44 PM
St. Paul toy store hit with ICE audit after ABC News story about handing out whistles
https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/st-paul-toy-store-hit-with-ice-audit-after-abc-news-story-about-handing-out-whistles
https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/st-paul-toy-store-hit-with-ice-audit-after-abc-news-story-about-handing-out-whistles
Reposted by Dustin Nelson
This is what happened in our neighborhood yesterday. ICE snatched a human being off of our streets, roughed them up badly, and then pepper sprayed legal observers as they documented it all. This is a daily occurrence happening all throughout Minnesota right now.
January 19, 2026 at 3:46 PM
This is what happened in our neighborhood yesterday. ICE snatched a human being off of our streets, roughed them up badly, and then pepper sprayed legal observers as they documented it all. This is a daily occurrence happening all throughout Minnesota right now.
Reposted by Dustin Nelson
Friday afternoon, ABC News ran an interview with one of Mischief Toy Store's owners about the store's practice of giving away free whistles. Hours later, ICE agents showed up at their door.
Here's my story (gift link):
Here's my story (gift link):
Hours after ABC News ran a story about Mischief Toy Store, ICE agents arrived at their door
“In 27 years of being retailers in St. Paul, we’ve never been audited for this,” one owner said.
www.twincities.com
January 19, 2026 at 8:57 PM
Friday afternoon, ABC News ran an interview with one of Mischief Toy Store's owners about the store's practice of giving away free whistles. Hours later, ICE agents showed up at their door.
Here's my story (gift link):
Here's my story (gift link):
Six Twin Cities grocery stores, plus another in Stillwater, just announced that they will close for the Jan.23 strike. bringmethenews.com/minnesota-li...
List of Minnesota businesses closing for Jan. 23 anti-ICE strike
First announced by faith leaders and unions on Jan. 13, Minnesota businesses have begun announcing plans to join the action.
bringmethenews.com
January 19, 2026 at 7:20 PM
Six Twin Cities grocery stores, plus another in Stillwater, just announced that they will close for the Jan.23 strike. bringmethenews.com/minnesota-li...
Reposted by Dustin Nelson
Minneapolis and Saint Paul have basically mobilized into a war economy of mutual aid and non-violent defense. I’ve never seen anything like it, even during Covid. People who barely vote are guarding their schools from ICE and doing the shopping for neighbors in hiding.
This is so smart. I’m so impressed with all the different ways you’re helping your neighbors.
January 19, 2026 at 12:39 AM
Minneapolis and Saint Paul have basically mobilized into a war economy of mutual aid and non-violent defense. I’ve never seen anything like it, even during Covid. People who barely vote are guarding their schools from ICE and doing the shopping for neighbors in hiding.
Reposted by Dustin Nelson
One of the MOST significant things about this — and an important lesson to highlight, not obscure, for national/international readers — is how widespread local opposition is. I’ve never seen more normal folks involved. The overwhelming broad consensus local support lifts me up when I let it.
NYT writers referring to moms outside of their schools watching for ICE as "activists" is stupid and makes their reporters look like Cletuses. Local reporters know because their friends & loved ones are out there doing the same.
January 18, 2026 at 6:52 PM
One of the MOST significant things about this — and an important lesson to highlight, not obscure, for national/international readers — is how widespread local opposition is. I’ve never seen more normal folks involved. The overwhelming broad consensus local support lifts me up when I let it.
Reposted by Dustin Nelson
Another person taken today in Northeast. ICE left their car out in the road and pepper sprayed legal observers, directly violating a federal judge’s orders from earlier this week.
January 19, 2026 at 1:51 AM
Another person taken today in Northeast. ICE left their car out in the road and pepper sprayed legal observers, directly violating a federal judge’s orders from earlier this week.
Reposted by Dustin Nelson
A 36-year-old detained by ICE in Minneapolis died while in ICE custody in Texas. More information: https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/man-detained-by-ice-in-minneapolis-dies-awaiting-deportation-in-texas
January 18, 2026 at 10:26 PM
A 36-year-old detained by ICE in Minneapolis died while in ICE custody in Texas. More information: https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/man-detained-by-ice-in-minneapolis-dies-awaiting-deportation-in-texas
Reposted by Dustin Nelson
Deputy AG Todd Blanche said the DOJ "won't bow to pressure" from the media and politicians. https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/doj-not-investigating-fatal-ice-shooting-of-renee-good-in-minneapolis
January 18, 2026 at 11:19 PM
Deputy AG Todd Blanche said the DOJ "won't bow to pressure" from the media and politicians. https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/doj-not-investigating-fatal-ice-shooting-of-renee-good-in-minneapolis
A lot of Minnesota businesses have already announced plans to close on Jan. 23 for the strike/economic blackout. bringmethenews.com/minnesota-li...
List of Minnesota businesses closing for Jan. 23 anti-ICE strike
First announced by faith leaders and unions on Jan. 13, Minnesota businesses have begun announcing plans to join the action.
bringmethenews.com
January 18, 2026 at 7:39 PM
A lot of Minnesota businesses have already announced plans to close on Jan. 23 for the strike/economic blackout. bringmethenews.com/minnesota-li...
Reposted by Dustin Nelson
The DHS post described the Jackson family as "radical agitators" who brought their children "to a riot," even though it had been reported they were trying to leave the area.
More: https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/dhs-deletes-post-blaming-minneapolis-family-tear-gassed-by-federal-agents
More: https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/dhs-deletes-post-blaming-minneapolis-family-tear-gassed-by-federal-agents
January 17, 2026 at 4:00 PM
The DHS post described the Jackson family as "radical agitators" who brought their children "to a riot," even though it had been reported they were trying to leave the area.
More: https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/dhs-deletes-post-blaming-minneapolis-family-tear-gassed-by-federal-agents
More: https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/dhs-deletes-post-blaming-minneapolis-family-tear-gassed-by-federal-agents
Reposted by Dustin Nelson
The paratroopers are known as the "Arctic Angels." The latest: https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/reports-1500-army-paratroopers-on-standby-for-possible-minnesota-deployment
January 18, 2026 at 3:03 PM
The paratroopers are known as the "Arctic Angels." The latest: https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/reports-1500-army-paratroopers-on-standby-for-possible-minnesota-deployment
Reposted by Dustin Nelson
We're once again providing updates on today's ICE activity and protests in Minnesota. https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/list-of-ice-raids-protest-updates-in-minnesota-on-sunday-jan-18
January 18, 2026 at 3:13 PM
We're once again providing updates on today's ICE activity and protests in Minnesota. https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/list-of-ice-raids-protest-updates-in-minnesota-on-sunday-jan-18
Reposted by Dustin Nelson
Yup. The actual "protests" are rare. They're happening, but they're not the main story. The main story is Will Stancil chasing down ICE agents in his Honda, people across the city doing grocery runs for neighbors no questions asked, people dropping everything they're doing to respond to whistles.
This is the thing. There ARE protests here but the bigger story (and what you see in most of the clips online) is that many people here are just going about their daily lives **but constantly vigilant and running in to help the second it's needed.**
(Many others, of course, are hiding for safety)
(Many others, of course, are hiding for safety)
Regular people are, at a moment’s notice, dropping everything to go watch armed masked goons. They blow whistles to notify other neighbors to come out of their homes and record what is happening and get the vulnerable inside. ICE hates it because they don’t want people to know what they are doing.
January 18, 2026 at 5:23 PM
Yup. The actual "protests" are rare. They're happening, but they're not the main story. The main story is Will Stancil chasing down ICE agents in his Honda, people across the city doing grocery runs for neighbors no questions asked, people dropping everything they're doing to respond to whistles.
Reposted by Dustin Nelson
Hey, if you have kick ass things we could use for a silent auction this week could you dm me?
January 18, 2026 at 5:33 PM
Hey, if you have kick ass things we could use for a silent auction this week could you dm me?
January 18, 2026 at 4:38 PM
Reposted by Dustin Nelson
"organized, funded protesters" = parents and neighbors in hastily organized group chats trying to protect their friends and community members from being kidnapped
(and "paid" only in the form of maybe a friend buying their mocha when they cross paths at the coffee shop between mutual aid runs)
(and "paid" only in the form of maybe a friend buying their mocha when they cross paths at the coffee shop between mutual aid runs)
Kristi Noem: "When we did these operations in other cities across the country, we didn't see this kind of violence. We didn't see organized, funded protesters come in to conduct acts of violence against our law enforcement officers like we're seeing in Minneapolis."
January 18, 2026 at 4:15 PM
"organized, funded protesters" = parents and neighbors in hastily organized group chats trying to protect their friends and community members from being kidnapped
(and "paid" only in the form of maybe a friend buying their mocha when they cross paths at the coffee shop between mutual aid runs)
(and "paid" only in the form of maybe a friend buying their mocha when they cross paths at the coffee shop between mutual aid runs)
Reposted by Dustin Nelson
Local reporters understand that what's happening in the Twin Cities doesn't have much of a precedent. It's not a political response (pink hat protest), it's an existential one. It is actual resistance to a violent external threat that is ICE terrorizing neighbors and families.
January 18, 2026 at 4:14 PM
Local reporters understand that what's happening in the Twin Cities doesn't have much of a precedent. It's not a political response (pink hat protest), it's an existential one. It is actual resistance to a violent external threat that is ICE terrorizing neighbors and families.